Logan County Sheriff’s deputies investigated two separate crashes on Sunday, including a hit-skip collision on State Route 68.
The first crash occurred shortly after 9 a.m. on County Road 17.
According to the crash report, Caleb Barefield, 35, of Lima, was backing a 2026 Chevrolet Silverado from a parked position near 10405 County Road 17 when the vehicle struck a 2016 Acura MDX driven by Chelsey Christman, 40, of Jackson Center.
Deputies reported minor damage to both vehicles.
No injuries were reported.
Barefield was cited for improper backing.
The second crash happened around 6:15 p.m. on State Route 68 near Township Road 219.
According to deputies, Kaci Shobe, 30, of Belle Center, was stopped at a railroad crossing when her 2024 Honda Accord was struck from behind by a 2009 Chevrolet Malibu driven by Justin Stidham of Bellefontaine.
After the crash, Stidham left the scene.
Shobe told deputies she spoke with the driver, who claimed he had recently been released from prison and did not have insurance.
She also provided investigators with the vehicle’s license plate number.
A short time later, deputies were notified that the suspect vehicle had been located in the parking lot of the hotel in Bellefontaine.
Officers responded after receiving a report that a man had fled from the vehicle on foot.
A search of the area, including the use of a drone, was unsuccessful.
During an inventory of the abandoned vehicle, deputies reported finding a small baggie containing suspected Xanax pills, a cigarette rolling machine, and a wallet containing identification belonging to Stidham.
The vehicle was towed and held pending the outcome of the investigation.
Deputies later showed Shobe a photograph of Stidham’s driver’s license, and she identified him as the driver involved in the crash.
According to the report, Stidham later came to the Logan County Sheriff’s Office and provided a written statement.
He admitted he was not paying attention and struck the vehicle in front of him.
A citation was issued.
No injuries were reported in either crash.
